C1 chapter 5 - coordinate geometry in the ( x , y ) plane

In this chapter you will learn how to find the equation of a straight line in various formats given various data about the line.
Chapter overview:
C1_chapter_5_overview.png

Sections

C1 section 5.1


You need to be able to:
  • write the equation of a straight line in both forms: y = mx + c and ax + by + c = 0

You need to already know:
  • in y = mx + c that m is the gradient (steepness), which tells you the rate of increase in y for each unit of increase in x
  • in y = mx + c that c is the y-intercept, which tells you where the line crosses the y-axis
  • how to rearrange simple algebra such as how to solve simple equations so that you can turn one form of the equation into the other
  • how to work with negative numbers and fractions
Examples:

C1 Exercise 5A


C1 section 5.2


C1 section 5.3

In this section we explore the equation of a line through two given points

If we allow both points to vary freely then we have this arrangement:


C1 exercise 5C